PLTWAerospace Engineering

Taught by Mr. Sturge

Jacob McCullum

Course Overview

• The class consists of hands-on group projects and theory behind aircraft design

• Each project applies the design process, uses various forms of CAD and other advanced design technology, and shows the practicality of the theory learned

Projects and Concepts• Paper airplane testing (Design process review)• Glider design and testing (Center of gravity, center of

pressure, forces of flight)• Airfoil design and testing (Parts of an airfoil, forces of

flight)• Flight Simulator (Aircraft functionality, instrument

functions and capabilities)• Materials Testing (Modulus of elasticity, deflection)• Model RC plane research, design, and test (Review

of all previous concepts)

Paper Airplane Project

• The class was asked to design two ideal paper airplanes: one that stayed in the air the longest and the other that flew the farthest

• Good review of the engineering design process

Glider Project• Designed a glider using

a program, then constructed based off of design

• Completed several tests to learn about aircraft stability during flight

Airfoil Design/Testing

• Constructed an airfoil out of foam which was designed online with help from excel

• A rig was designed and constructed to measure the amount of lift that the airfoil produced

Flight Simulator

• We used Microsoft Flight Simulator X to see how aircraft operate during turns, stalls, etc.

• The class learned how to use various instruments for navigation and control of a small airplane

• Also discussed were gyroscopes and pitot systems which are used in aircraft instruments

Materials Testing

• Applied a force to 3 different materials to find deflection and modulus of elasticity

• Repeated the process after coating with fiberglass

RC Model Plane Design Project

• This is a long term project that we work on in three person teams a few days per week.

• The purpose of this project is to simulate a real world design problem. The project requires us to keep a daily journal and has four parts:

1• Research existing aircraft design

2• Design scaled-down version of aircraft

3• Construct a fully functional model of the

aircraft

4• Test aircraft for stability and strength in

flight

Conclusion

• Skills I have gained from taking this course so far:

1. Leadership

2. Hands-on working skills

3. Communication

THIS CLASS IS FUN!

Thank You!